Motivation vs. Will Power

A wise man told me that there is no such thing as will power, only motivation. If we are motivated to have a desired outcome then we will find the will power to make it happen. This can apply to many things in life, especially when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. You might think that you just don’t have any will power when it comes to chocolate cake. When you see it and smell it, you just have to taste it…several times. Really?? What about having the motivation to fit into the appropriate size clothes, or the motivation to walk up stairs without wheezing? Will the idea of having great blood pressure motivate you enough to skip the second slice of pie for dessert?

Teaching your kids, co-workers, or friends that living healthy is achievable and maintainable can be beneficial to motivation you, too. It can help keep you honest about your food choices or the time you spend exercising. You can encourage each other by making healthy choices and sticking to them as a team – a team always looking for new members to inspire!

It isn’t about being an Olympic athlete. You don’t need to give up your day job to log miles and keep a nutrition diary to be fit. (Some folks enjoy that as hobby though.) It is about finding something that will motivate you to want to be healthy. You are worth the effort and it’s an act of selflessness – NOT selfishness – when you take the time to take care of yourself. Do it now, because you can. -trvw